by Joel Harrison
29. September 2011 13:22
South African physicians have issued a warning regarding the use of urine as an eye drop to treat dry eye, which is often caused in the country by continual sand and dust storms.
The use of urine as a medication is encouraged by folk medicine around the world. It is supposed to cure eye diseases and promote natural health. Interestingly, urine eye drops were even used by American naturopaths.
However, this remedy is not only ineffective, but may also be extremely dangerous, leading to serious infections and even blindness. Urine can transmit STDs mutated to thrive in the human eye (e.g. gonococcal conjunctivitis, attacking the cornea and leaving scars).
The doctors are trying to persuade healers to promote eye drops based on saline, often used by contact lens wearers. In addition, some scientists insist that, as far as folk remedies are concerned, spit is much better than urine, as it transmits STDs much less often than urine and is therefore significantly safer.
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